1000 Icons, Symbols, and Pictograms

A catalog of 1,000 symbol and icon designs in an affordable format .

Pictorial symbols are, in some respects, superior to words as a form of communication. If well-designed, they can be understood by people of all different races and cultures and can be recognized by children literally years before they learn to read. Symbols can be identified more quickly than words, making them especially useful in situations where fast reactions are required (e.g., control panels in airplanes.) As a result, symbols are of the utmost importance to graphic designers and their ever-present challenge to create effective visual communication for their clients. Like Rockport’s other “1,000” series books, this collection of designs provides a virtual catalog of ideas for designers to look to for creative inspiration. No matter what type of job or client presents itself, designers can view the work of 1,000 other talented designers to find unique and distinctive elements and influences.


Like Rockport’s other books in the “1,000” series, this collection of designs provides a virtual catalog of ideas for designers to look to for creative inspiration. No matter what type of job or client presents itself designers will be able to look to the work of 1000 other talented designers to find unique and distinctive elements and influences to inspire their own work. The content is organized by subject matter allowing readers to find symbols which relate to the specific job they are working on.

Blackcoffee, a brand positioning and design firm, specializes in communications for consumer products and services. The firm was founded in 1994 by Mark Gallagher and Laura Savard. Blackcoffee works with a wide range of national and international brands–including Acura, Adidas/Salomon, Converse, Hasbro, Kryptonite, MTV, Showtime, Timberland, and Zildjian–on an array of projects ranging from brand development and packaging to point-of-purchase and collateral. They authored The Best of Business Card 6 and are based in Boston, MA.